Everblades Maul Bears in 5-1 Road Win

Written by Robert Molnar 

ORLANDO, FL – The Florida Everblades (45-20-2-3, 95 pts) used five different goal scored as well as a 34-save performance from Alex Nedeljkovic to earn a 5-1 victory over the Orlando Solar Bears (35-25-7-3, 80 pts) Wednesday night at the Amway Center. Clinching the Wawa Sunshine Cup earlier this season, this win gives the Everblades an 18 to seven points lead over the rival Solar Bears.

The ‘Blades jumped out to a 1-0 advantage following a forced turnover inside the Orlando zone. Moving the puck from behind the back of the net, Curt Gogol met the Orlando puck handler at the low circle. Forcing the puck loose, Gogol flipped a pass towards the front of the net where a waiting Matt Berry batted the puck high into the roof of the net.

The Everblades doubled their lead midway through the opening frame when Mike Aviani took advantage of a second chance opportunity to put the Everblades up 2-0. Moving quickly into the zone, Aviani had a stab at it out in front of goal. Aviani picked up his own rebound and swung around behind the Orlando goal and sent a wraparound attempt just past the leg pad of Orlando goaltender Ryan Massa and into the back of the net.

Orlando netted its first goal in the first period off of a messy turnover right in front of the Everblades goal. Caught red handed with the puck, the ‘Blades ended up coughing up a turnover right in front of their own goal. Mason Marchment picked up the loos puck and wasted no time backhanding his shot past Everblades goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic.

Less than three minutes later, the Everblades once again extended their lead to two. Kevin Raine hurled a shot from the point that was initially stopped by Massa. However the rebound jumped out to the slot,  and swooping in to pick up the loose puck was Zack Kamrass who showed some great patience as he waited until he was in the clear before backhanding his shot high into the net.

Things would tighten up in the second period, and  the second period remained scoreless throughout following some major saves by both Alex Nedeljkovic and Ryan Massa.

Florida took a commanding 4-1 lead just over two-and-a-half minutes into the third period.  Mike Aviani steered a pass to the blue line where Josh Wesley took a chance with a heavy shot. Stepping into his shot, Wesley blasted a wicked slap shot right over the shoulder of Ryan Massa and into the net.

With the game firmly in hand, the ‘Blades iced the contest midway through the final frame as John McCarron flipped a backhanded shot off the pad of Ryan Massa and into the net to secure a 5-1 Florida win.

Alex Nedeljkovic was spectacular in goal for the Everblades and he earns the win after stopping 34 of the 35 shots he faced. Ryan Massa suffers the loss in goal for the Solar Bears after allowing five goals on 40 shots.

Playing their final road game of the regular season this Friday night, the Everblades will once again square off against the rival Solar Bears at the Amway Center in Orlando. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Eastern time. Fans can catch the game broadcast on ESPN Radio 99.3 FM or by CLICKING HERE. Fans can also watch the game online at ECHL.TV

Upcoming Home Games & Promotions Saturday, April 8 vs. Orlando, 7:00 p.m. – Black Out Night and Fan Appreciation Night!  Fans will receive a FREE Everblades team photo courtesy of FGCU and a FREE Rally Card courtesy of the Naples Daily News. Fans will also receive giveaways from Wawa! The team will be wearing special black jerseys which will be auctioned off following the game to benefit the Passion Foundation. The team awards ceremony will take place prior to the game!Ticket InformationGame Tickets: Everblades tickets may be purchased at the Florida Community Bank Box Office located at Germain Arena, or at any Ticketmaster outlet, or online atwww.ticketmaster.comPlayoff Tickets Now on Sale:  Playoff ticket packages and single game tickets for Playoff Game A & B are currently on sale.  Playoff package may be purchased through the team's administrative offices located at Germain Arena or by calling 239-948-7825.  Single game tickets for Games A & B may be purchased at the Florida Community Bank Box Office or online by CLICKING HERE

Discounted Group Tickets: Bring your group of 10 or more to a game at a discounted price, and you may also receive an Everblades souvenir! Group tickets are available for all home games. For more information on group tickets, call 239-948-7825.

This release courtesy of Fort Myers Technical College & Cape Coral Technical College

The Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliateof the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes###